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THE L STATION

186 N WELLS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60606 · Restaurant

Inspection summary

THE L STATION has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 6, 2022. The most recent inspection, on January 2, 2026, recorded 2 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 2 inspections with 8 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.

    Recorded 2 times on December 31, 2025. For example: PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 31, 2025. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded once on August 30, 2023. For example: FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 11 times across 6 separate inspections, most recently on January 2, 2026. For example: PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Most jurisdictions require a certified food handler or manager on site, and some require allergen or food-worker training. These findings mean the paperwork or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean food was handled unsafely.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 31, 2025. For example: ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND NO BACKFLOW PREVENTION DEVICES AT ICE MACHINE WATERLINE.MUST PROVIDE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOOR/WALL JUNCTIONS IN BASEMENT IMPROPERLY REPAIRED WITH EXPANDING FOAM AND ROUGH, UNEVEN GRAVEL AND CONCRETE. MUST REPAIR BASEMENT FLOORS TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
  2. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 22. PROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES
      • FOUND TCS FOOD INSIDE COOLERS(WALK IN COOLER/2 DOOR COOLER)AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES. 40 POUNDS RAW CHICKEN AT 61.3F, 10 POUNDS HAMBURGER AT 55.7F, 5 LOBSTERS AT 55.8F, 40 POUNDS OF LAMB AT 53.6F, 5 POUNDS SHRIMP AT 54.2F, 80 POUNDS CHEESE AT 63.2F, 20 QUARTS OF CREAM AT 61.7F, AND 2 DOZEN EGGS AND 4 DOZEN EGGS AT 60.8F.PRIORITY VIOLATION.CITATION ISSUED.153 POUNDS OF TCS FOOD DISPOSED.VALUE OF TCS FOODS 1500 DOLLARS.
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • FOUND WALK IN COOLER AND REACH IN COOLER AT IMPROPER COLD HOLDING TEMPERATURES.WALK IN COOLER AT 61.9F AND 2 DOOR COOLER AT 62.2F.PRIORITY VIOLATION. CITATION ISSUED.TAGGED HELD FOR INSPECTION BOTH COOLERS.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • FOUND MORE THAN 50 RAT DROPPINGS AT BASEMENT STORAGE AREAS AND SOME AT PREPARATION AREAS.PRIORITY FOUNDATION.CITATION ISSUED.7-38-020A.MUST NOTIFY PEST CONTROL OPERATOR AND ELIMINATE RAT ACTIVITY.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • FOUND LEAKY 1 COMPARTMENT SINK BY 3 COMPARTMENT SINK.MUST REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FOUND FLOORS NOT CLEAN AT PREPARATION AREAS/BASEMENT AND ALONG WALLS UNDER EQUIPMENT.MUST CLEAN. MUST STORE EVERYTHING OFF FLOORS AND AWAY FROM WALLS AT BASEMENT.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • SANITATION MANAGER WITH NO ALLERGEN TRAINING.MUST PROVIDE.
  3. Canvass

    5 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Found 2 glue boards with dead cockroaches stuck on. Instructed to remove and monitor.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • Main prep area cooler with damaged lid cover, exposed insulation, Instructed to repair and maintain.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • Unable to locate backflow prevention device for basements ice maker, instructed to install one in a clean view.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Missing several floor tile at main kitchen, instructed to replace and maintain.
    • 58. ALLERGEN TRAINING AS REQUIRED
      • No allergen training certificate for food service manager, Instructed to obtain.
  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE /DISH/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  5. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 16. FOOD-CONTACT SURFACES: CLEANED & SANITIZED
      • OBSERVED A WHITE PANEL INSIDE THE ICE MACHINE THAT TOUCHED ICE FILLED WITH A BLACK MOLD-LIKE SUBSTANCE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO WASH, CLEAN, SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN. ICE IS USED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED CARDBOARD USED AS LINER ON SHELVES WHERE THE SEASONINGS ARE STORED. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED FLOOR TILES IN THE /DISH/FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR TO CREATE A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SURFACE. MUST MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES.
  6. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. License

    3 infractions

    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • FOUND FLOOR DRAIN AT 3 COMP SINK BAR NOT DRAINING. FOUND WASTEWATER BACKING UP ONTO FLOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. SEWAGE SHALL BE CONVEYED TO THE POINT OF DISPOSAL AND MAINTAINED AND OPERATED ACCORDING TO LAW.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • FOUND 2 OUT 2 UNISEX TOILET ROOMS WITHOUT COVERED GARBAGE RECEPTACLE. INSTRUCTED OPERATOR TO PROVIDE.
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • FOUND FOOD DEBRIS AND CARDBOARD UNDER AND AROUND OUTSIDE GARBAGE RECEPTACLE. MUST CLEAN SANITIZE AND MAINTAIN.

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